They will be working with four other councillors, public and professional, who were elected by acclamation:

Dr. Richard Kniaziew

Dr. Patrick Quaid

Mr. Ira Teich

Mr. John Van Bastelaar

Congratulations to Dr. Noël and the Executive Committee.

Thanks to Outgoing Council Members

Council President Dr. Thomas-A. Noël presented certificates of recognition to departing Council members for their outstanding contributions to public protection. After ten years of service, two public members, Mr. Francis Christopher and Mr. Emad Hussain, will be wrapping up their duties. The College is grateful for their hard work.

Processes to Review OHIP Claims

Last October, the Ontario government proclaimed an amendment to the Health Insurance Act that dissolved practitioner review committees, including the Optometry Review Committee. There are now enhanced mechanisms with which the general manager of OHIP can review optometrists’ claims and billings.

The Clinical Practice Panel of the Quality Assurance Committee proposed amendments to the Optometry Act, Designated Drugs and Standards of Practice Regulation, and Controlled Acts for Council’s approval to circulate for comments. The proposed amendments would give optometrists the authority to prescribe all topical and oral drugs that are within the scope of practice of the profession. They would also allow optometrists to remove superficial foreign bodies from below the surface of the cornea, to dispense drugs for the sole purpose of trialling a therapy, and to specify diagnostic ultrasound as a prescribed form of energy for the performance of corneal pachymetry or ocular ultrasonography. The proposals are being circulated for 60 days for comment from members and stakeholders.

Members Leaving or Returning to Practice

Council approved a new policy that clarifies the process by which members can change their registration status from practising to non-practising, or vice-versa, for fixed or indefinite periods of time.

Council heard a presentation from Dr. Ruth Gallop, Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, on sexual abuse prevention and the nature of the doctor–patient relationship. Dr. Gallop spoke about sexual abuse provisions in the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and the responsibility of the College and its members to protect the public from harm. Council learned more about the prevalence of sexual abuse in the health care community, and the types of behaviours and boundary violations that may constitute abuse. Dr. Gallop presented clinical vignettes that illustrated different types of boundary crossings and abuses of power.